In my experience, bicyclists tend to be green, somewhat anarchistic, and civicly engaged. It is great when you can use your bicycle to stand up for what you believe in, something that many bicycle commuters do every day. After 35 years of bicycle commuting, I decided that I would try to extend my range with some serious bicycle training over the course of the summer. Living in the Baltimore area makes this easy with many miles of gorgeous bicycle trails, many of them in the beautiful area parks. Yesterday, I managed to ride over 55 miles in a single day. This was a personal record for me, both in terms of time and of distance. I had such a great time that only wanted more. There is much to say about this trip, but first the pictures.

Patapsco Park has loads of classic natural beauty and tons of history as well.

According to this plaque in Patapsco State Park, the river valley was home to America's first railroad. This trip, I managed to check in at the information center in Ellicott City, and the staff confirmed this. Back in the day, you could ride the first train from Baltimore to Ellicott City.

Behind the plaque, you can see blocky stone cuts, that likely formed the trestle for the old rail. Down the river is the site of an old flour mill. There is much more great history in this park, and matters of environmental concern as well. It is currently being discussed whether to remove an old industrial dam from the river, in order to eliminate an artificial habitat division and fish barrier. I think this is probably a good idea.

While I was in Ellicott City, I stopped in again at the CSX train derailment site to see how the clean up is progressing. On the rails, there was this truck, which is presumably being used to vacuum up the remaining coal. Progress is slow, but it continues.

I ranged very widely on this trip. I'll try to post an image of the map later. Here is a link to the Google map showing the approximate route.

Most notable is likely the Annapolis road portion, which is not listed as passible in Google. I'd be confident taking my bicycle trailer on this portion of Annapolis road, but use due caution at the I895 clover leaf. Also, be sure to move to the Baltimore/Annapolis trail, if you go south of Cromwell. There is a beautiful park in Balitimore Highlands, adjacent to this road, which is worth checking out. If you get tired, there is easy access to the Light Rail along Annapolis road. If someone wants to give me the right Google link, I'd be happy to submit the Annapolis Rd data. Next time, I'll try Lansdowne Rd. If I were coming up the East Coast Greenway, I might try to camp in the park, although it is against regulations. ;-) There are also some little used off-rode biking trails in the park. I think that the parks are far more beautiful by bicycle.

If you have been reading these blog entries, you might remember that I saw a giant owl in Patapsco State Park the last time I was there. I could scarcely believe my eyes, in part because the great bird flew absolutely silently. On my way out of Ellicott City, I took the Old Trolley Trail, and I met a couple who confirmed that they had also seen two of these nearly waist high owls along that trail. Old Trolley Trail is another gorgeous spot, and I'm not surprised that the owls made their home there.

Here are the names of the places and trails that I visited on the trip. Any one of them is worth visiting, especially by bicycle. Bike trails: Middle Branch, BWI, Old Trolley out of Ellicott City, Gwynns Falls,& Jones Falls. Places: Baltimore City, BWI, Patapsco State Park, Ellicott City, Gwynns Falls park,& back via Druid Hill Park.

The ride was so enjoyable that I would gladly have continued up to the NCR trailhead in Cockeysville to complete 75+ miles. Alas, nightfall arrived, and with it rain, so I reluctantly decided to try again another day.

If you are interested in my previous photos of the CSX train derailment site and clean up, here are links to those stories.

Hi, I signed the petition "Release Wildlife Damage Caused by BP Oil Spill". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

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On Anniv. of Afghanistan War: Say No to War and Sanctions on Syria and Iran

Another great action from ANSWER.

Regards, proclus http://www.gnu-darwin.org/

On the Anniversary of the Afghanistan War:Say No to War and Sanctions on Syria and Iran

On the 11th Anniversary of the Afghanistan War, the ANSWER Coalition is organizing and participating in demonstrations around the country. Our central slogans are: “End the Afghanistan War Now!” and “No War and Sanctions vs. Syria and Iran! U.S. Out of the Middle East!

Organizers for the main protest on the 11th anniversary here in Chicago, have omitted the issue of Syria and Iran, but ANSWER will be making both a central part of our slogans and literature.

The governments of Iran and Syria have been targeted for overthrow by the U.S. government. The reason that U.S. imperialism wants to carry out regime change in Syria and Iran is that both governments have been independent of the U.S. and the former NATO colonizers of the region.

The foreign policy of the U.S. government is to replace these governments with proxy or client regimes. It is not about “democracy” or “human rights” or “nuclear weapons.” Those are just excuses. Remember that George W. Bush used the same or similar pretexts to invade Iraq in 2003 and Obama did the same to justify the massive bombing of Libya in 2011.

Every time the U.S. targets a government for overthrow they first fully demonize the target in the mass media. They create a caricature of the target. They make it seem to the people that their next war is for a good cause and has just reasons.

Instead of accommodating itself to the public demonization campaign constructed by the war makers, anti-war organizations need to be strong enough to expose the lies.

The ANSWER Coalition believes that it is an absolute requirement to organize public opposition to the Pentagon/CIA campaign to bring down the Syrian and Iranian governments. That is what we will do at the upcoming October 7 demonstration in Chicago.

Hi, I signed the petition "Tell Congress: Oppose Legislation That Threatens Our Rivers & Safety". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 10,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

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ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com!

ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Care2, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. www.care2.com

After years of appeals, Italy's high court has upheld the conviction of 23 Americans, including 22 CIA officers and one military official for the offense of kidnapping of a man off the street in Milan on February 17, 2003, and shipping him to Egypt to be brutally tortured.

Thank Italy for upholding the law. Ask Italy to request extradition of the convicted kidnappers. http://bit.ly/T8KMYV

On September 16, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on US Sunday talk shows, scaremongering about Iran’s nuclear program. Meet the Press allowed Netanyahu to give a completely false picture of the Iran nuclear issue, without challenging his scaremongering through reference to known facts.

Tell Meet the Press that this is not acceptable: real journalism requires challenging false statements from politicians, particularly when these statements could provide a pretext for war.

Hi, I signed the petition "Romney: Don't Pretend You Know Me". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

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ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com!

ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Care2, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. www.care2.com

Hi, I signed the petition "End Corporate Influence on our Elections". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 10,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

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ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com!

ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Care2, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. www.care2.com

Tell Mitt Romney: Thanks for letting us know you only want to be
president of the rich

Dear Friend,

In a secretly recorded videotape from a Republican high dollar fundraiser, Mitt Romney incredulously claims that 47% of Americans don't pay taxes. That they are effectively sponging off the government and the taxpayers. And that President Obama is counting on these voters who are "dependent on government" to win reelection.

Mitt Romney will say anything to the American people to get to the White House. He'll say anything to help himself and his rich buddies rise to power. And normally he'll say anything to hide his true disdain for most Americans.

Tell Mitt Romney: Thanks for letting us know exactly where you stand -- exclusively for the richest Americans: